A search committee has been formed to recruit a new director for the Rose Art Museum, University President Jehuda Reinharz wrote in a Sept. 16 campuswide e-mail.The e-mail explains that Roy Dawes, who currently serves as director of operations for the Rose, will continue in that capacity "until a new director is in place."

Reinharz wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that he made the decision to form this committee at the start of this fall semester, explaining, "We've been very deliberate in our approach to the museum."

"The Board of Trustees voted in March to adopt the two key recommendations of the Future of the Rose Committee report: that the Rose remain a university museum open to the public, and that it be more fully integrated into the academic mission of the university," he wrote.

Until April 2009, Dawes served as assistant director of operations for the Rose. According to Reinharz , Dawes has "led the Museum" since the position was vacated after Michael Rush, the former director of the Rose, left the museum in June 2009. An April 21 Justice article explains that Rush had his position terminated on June 30, 2009.

In an e-mail to the Justice, Dawes wrote that once a director has been chosen, he will resume his role as "second in command" and will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the museum and exhibitions.

According to Reinharz's e-mail, the search committee is chaired by Director for the Office of the Arts Scott Edmiston and consists of Chair of the Rose Art Museum Board of Overseers and member of the Board of Trustees Stephen Reiner, Vice President for Planning and Capital Projects Dan Feldman and Profs. Susan Lichtman (FA), Jonathan Unglaub (FA), John Lisman (BIOL) and Robin Miller (GRALL).

A student and a museum professional will be invited to join the committee in the near future, according to the e-mail.

Reiner wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that the committee had not met yet, and a meeting had not been scheduled, although he expected one to take place soon.

Edmiston wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that he anticipates the first meeting taking place in October, and that the committee will "continue to meet once or twice a month until the search is complete."

When asked about a timeline for finalizing a decision regarding a director, Edmiston wrote that the committee would not be operating under a strict deadline.

"I believe it's important that the search process be thoughtful and thorough rather than fast," he explained.

Dawes wrote that while he will not serve on the committee, "the staff of the Rose will be consulted during the process."

When asked what qualities he hoped to see in a director, Dawes emphasized someone that values the museum and its history.

"We need a person with a strong vision, one who understands the history of the Rose and embraces its future. The new director must understand the importance of the Rose collection and the museums [sic] place in the academic life of the university," he wrote.

Edmiston echoed Dawes sentiments.

"I can't speak for the committee, but I personally hope we will find someone of vision and integrity-who is passionate about engaging students in the arts," he wrote.

The decision to conduct a search for a new director comes after the administration hired Dabney Hailey for academic programming at the Rose and Kristin Parker as the new collections manager and registrar there, Reinharz's e-mail explains.

"Coming on the heels of the two excellent recent hires, it represents another step forward for the Rose, and that is something with which I hope the whole Brandeis community is pleased," wrote Reiner.